Collocations for shock - noun
1. extreme surprise
ADJECTIVE
awful (esp. BrE),
big,
considerable (esp. BrE),
dreadful (esp. BrE),
great,
huge,
major,
massive,
nasty,
real,
rude,
terrible,
tremendous
Drivers could be in for a nasty shock when they see the cost of renewing their insurance policies.
Drivers could be in for a nasty shock when they see the cost of renewing their insurance policies.
absolute,
complete,
pure,
total,
utter
(esp. AmE)
mild, slight
first, initial
Once the initial shock had worn off, I got to like my new hairstyle.
mild, slight
first, initial
Once the initial shock had worn off, I got to like my new hairstyle.
sudden
economic, emotional
culture
It was a bit of a culture shock when I first came to this country.
economic, emotional
culture
It was a bit of a culture shock when I first came to this country.
sticker
(AmE)
Customers may experience sticker shock when they see the prices of the new SUVs (= they may be shocked by the prices).
Customers may experience sticker shock when they see the prices of the new SUVs (= they may be shocked by the prices).
VERB + shock
come as
feel, get, have, receive
She felt shock that he would be capable of such an act.
I got a terrible shock when I saw him.
feel, get, have, receive
She felt shock that he would be capable of such an act.
I got a terrible shock when I saw him.
give sb
be in for
If you think it's going to be easy, you're in for a shock!
be in for
If you think it's going to be easy, you're in for a shock!
die of
(informal)
I nearly died of shock when your mother appeared.
I nearly died of shock when your mother appeared.
get over,
recover from
express
feign
imagine
Imagine my shock when I saw them kissing!
express
feign
imagine
Imagine my shock when I saw them kissing!
shock + NOUN
tactics
value
The scene was clearly added for shock value.
value
The scene was clearly added for shock value.
jock
(informal, esp. AmE)
radio shock jock Howard Stern
radio shock jock Howard Stern
troops
wave
The news sent shock waves through the financial markets. (figurative)
wave
The news sent shock waves through the financial markets. (figurative)
defeat,
departure,
exit
(all BrE,sports)
United suffered a shock defeat to Norwich.
United suffered a shock defeat to Norwich.
result,
victory,
win
(all BrE,sports)
announcement, decision, resignation (all BrE)
announcement, decision, resignation (all BrE)
PREPOSITION
in shock
She looked around in shock.
She looked around in shock.
with a shock
She realized with a sudden shock that she was being followed.
She realized with a sudden shock that she was being followed.
shock at,
shock on
her shock on seeing him with another woman
her shock on seeing him with another woman
shock to
This news came as a great shock to me.
This news came as a great shock to me.
PHRASES
a bit of a shock,
quite a shock,
something of a shock
in a state of shock
I think I'm still in a state of shock.
in a state of shock
I think I'm still in a state of shock.
a feeling of shock,
a sense of shock
shock horror (BrE,humorous)
The article reports on a celebrity who—shock horror—has gained weight!
shock horror (BrE,humorous)
The article reports on a celebrity who—shock horror—has gained weight!
the shock of your life
(informal)
I got the shock of my life when she told me she was pregnant.
I got the shock of my life when she told me she was pregnant.
a shock to the system
(informal)
The low salaries came as something of a shock to her system.
The low salaries came as something of a shock to her system.
2. electric shock
ADJECTIVE
massive (esp. BrE),
severe
mild
He gave himself a mild electric shock while changing a light bulb.
mild
He gave himself a mild electric shock while changing a light bulb.
painful
electric (less often electrical)
electric (less often electrical)
VERB + shock
get,
receive
give sb
administer
The guards would administer electric shocks to the inmates.
give sb
administer
The guards would administer electric shocks to the inmates.
3. extreme weakness caused by injury or shock
ADJECTIVE
deep,
severe
mild
delayed (esp. BrE)
anaphylactic
shell
soldiers suffering from shell shock
mild
delayed (esp. BrE)
anaphylactic
shell
soldiers suffering from shell shock
VERB + shock
be in,
be suffering from,
suffer
He was in deep shock after the accident.
He was in deep shock after the accident.
go into
He had gone into shock and was shaking violently.
He had gone into shock and was shaking violently.
be treated for